Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council — April 25, 2013 (meeting #1135) — reading text

ECW Updated: 4/24/2013 11:38 AM by Aida Wilkinson Page 1 Packet Pg. 248  10.A.1.a Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) Education, Conservation, and Rehabilitation for the Welfare of Florida’s Natural Fauna. Packet Pg. 249  10.A.1.a Who is the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge?  501 © (3) nonprofit organization  Only full scale wildlife hospital in 5 Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) counties of Northwest Florida  Only National Marine Mammal Stranding Network member from Walton county to the Alabama state line  Only permitted sea turtle stranding and salvage team in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties  Only permitted organization in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties to conduct sea turtle nest monitoring  Premier environmental educators focusing on coexistence among all species Packet Pg. 250  10.A.1.a  Provides 24 hour rescue services for all area residents and tourist free of charge  Provides care to over 2100 animals a year  Removes all large marine mammal and sea turtle carcasses from local beaches Provides nuisance wildlife assistance and information to all area residents and businesses free of charge Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW)  Collects scientific data from all marine strandings to provide information about the health of our gulf, bay and other waterways  Provides volunteer and internship opportunities  Offers educational outreach programs to locals and visitors through public and private schools, community events, and private presentations  Offers environmental consulting to residents and businesses  Provides emergency wildlife services after all natural and man made disasters Packet Pg. 251  10.A.1.a Wildlife Rescues in Okaloosa County Tourist Development Tax Districts Year Total Avian Herptiles Mammals 2008 1341 879 44 418 Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) 2009 1058 612 66 380 2010 1035 544 53 438 2011 1011 607 57 346 2012 1170 704 94 372 Average 1174 730 48 379 Packet Pg. 252  10.A.1.a Divisions of the Refuge • Wildlife Rehabilitation Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) • Marine Animal Rescue and Research • Environmental Education Packet Pg. 253  10.A.1.a Wildlife Rehabilitation • Provides care to over 2000 animals a year Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) • Provides 24 hour rescue services • Only full scale wildlife hospital in local area • Assist local and state law enforcement agencies with 24 hour wildlife rescue services • Provides emergency wildlife services after all natural and man made disasters Packet Pg. 254  10.A.1.a Marine Animal Rescue and Research • Provides 24 hour rescue services and triage for all species of cetaceans and sea turtles Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) • Collects scientific data from all marine strandings to provide information about the health of our gulf, bay and other waterways • Current collaborations include four research projects relating to red tide, dolphin deaths and water quality monitoring through the University of Central Florida, University of Florida and Northwest Florida State College. • Conducting data collection to add to body of knowledge tracking the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the Gulf Coast. Packet Pg. 255  10.A.1.a Environmental Education • Offers educational outreach programs to locals and visitors through public and private Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) schools, community events, and private presentations • Offers day and week long camps for children • All programs are conducted by certified teachers and meet the Next Generation Sunshine Standards • Provides volunteer and internship opportunities Packet Pg. 256  10.A.1.a Future Plans on Island Property  Wildlife rehabilitation center  Education center Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW)  Charter School  Nature Trails  Small Zoological Park  Bird viewing areas  Marine animal center Packet Pg. 257  10.A.1.a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center • Large fully equipped wildlife hospital • Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) Nursery, ICU, exam room, and surgery center will all have public viewing areas with the use of one way glass • X- ray • Lab • Large flight enclosures • Large outdoor enclosures for all mammals and birds • Closed to public Packet Pg. 258  10.A.1.a Education Center • Host special events • Summer and Spring camps Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) • Weekend programs • Host conferences and guest speakers • Internship and volunteer programs • Guided tours • Income generating • Open to the public Packet Pg. 259  10.A.1.a ECWR Academy Of Zoological Sciences • Okaloosa County Charter School Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) • Grades 6th through 12th • Geared for students moving on to higher education in biology, zoology, ecology, and pre- veterinarian sciences • Flagship institution as the first of its kind Packet Pg. 260  10.A.1.a Zoological Park • Open to the public • Revenue generating Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) • Live native animal exhibits • Animal ambassador meet and greet pavilions • Education and flighted bird show stage and seating area • Picnic areas and rest areas • Environment will highlight native planting to encourage wild songbird population • Butterfly and humming bird gardens • Green Gardening exhibit with walk thru hydroponic green house • Access to nature trails and bird viewing areas Packet Pg. 261  10.A.1.a Marine Animal Center • Cetacean rehabilitation pools Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) • Sea turtle rehabilitation pools • Necropsy lab • Research offices and labs Packet Pg. 262  10.A.1.a THANK YOU Attachment: ECWR 2012 (1652 : ECW) • Donate today • Spread awareness • Assist with fundraising Packet Pg. 263